🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Tien Beach sits on the southern side of Koh Larn. It's a small cove about 300 metres long, with fine white sand and clear blue water that many people rate among the clearest on the island. The real draw isn't anything flashy — it's that the atmosphere is quieter and more relaxed than Tawaen or Samae, the two main beaches. People who come to Tien Beach usually arrive in small groups to settle in for the day, swim, or snorkel over the shallow coral, rather than pile in for a crowded beach day.
Why pick Tien Beach (if you're avoiding Tawaen)
Tawaen is where the tour boats drop most of their passengers, so on weekends it gets very crowded, with rows of umbrellas and loungers filling the sand. Tien Beach is on the other side of the island and takes a bit more effort to reach, which filters out a fair share of the crowd. The water here is clearer because fewer people are swimming, making it a good choice if you want nice photos of the sea, an easy swim, or some snorkeling to watch the fish.
- Noticeably fewer people than Tawaen, especially if you come early or on a weekday
- Clearer water — it's one of the best snorkel spots on the island
- Beachfront restaurants with a good vibe, several with long sea views
- Water sports available, though fewer options than Tawaen or Samae (see the water sports section)
Straight talk
Tien Beach is small, with only a handful of restaurants and lounger setups. On long weekends it can fill up fast by late morning, so if you want a nice spot by the water, arriving before noon is the safer bet.
Want more out of Koh Larn? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
How to get to Tien Beach
Start with the passenger ferry from Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya over to Koh Larn. The fare is around 30 THB per person each way and the crossing takes about 40–45 minutes (there's a speedboat too, but it costs more). Popular morning departures are 07:00 and 10:00, and the last ferry back is usually around 18:00. Double-check the latest times at the pier, since the schedule shifts with the season and the weather.
- Passenger ferry Bali Hai → Na Baan / Tawaen pier, around 30 THB per person
- Songthaew on to Tien Beach, around 30–50 THB per person, or about 200–400 THB to charter one for a group
- Motorbike rental, around 200–300 THB per day (automatic, helmet included) — handy if you want to hop between several beaches
- From the drop-off to the beach, it's about a 5-minute walk; there's no road that runs straight down to the sand
About the ferries
On weekends the morning ferries are crowded and the queues are long, so if you can, take one of the first boats to get the beach while it's still quiet, before the tour groups roll in mid-morning. And don't leave it until the very last ferry back — the queue gets very long.
Snorkeling and swimming at Tien Beach
Tien Beach, along with the rocks to the south of Samae Beach, is one of the clearest snorkel spots on Koh Larn — good for going in to see the fish and the shallow coral close to shore. You can rent snorkel gear on the beach for around 100–200 THB, and it's even easier if you bring your own mask. The water at the beach is fairly calm, so it's an easy swim for most people.
Safety & environment
On some days the sea turns cloudy with the wind and weather, so if the water isn't clear, don't force your expectations of pretty coral shots. Be careful not to step on the coral and go easy on the sunscreen going into the sea. Check the flags and the waves before you get in, and don't swim out past the supervised area.
Water sports at Tien Beach
Tien Beach has water sports on offer, but to be straight, the choices are fewer than at Tawaen and Samae, which are the activity hubs. Here it leans toward lighter activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), inner tubes, and sometimes jet skis. Bigger activities like banana boats or large parasailing tend to run more fully at the main beaches. Roughly speaking, these are typical Koh Larn prices for comparison.
- Kayak / stand-up paddleboard (SUP) rental — charged by the hour, ask on the beach before you go
- Banana boat — around 200–300 THB per person
- Parasailing — around 400–600 THB per person
- Jet ski — around 800–1,500 THB per 30 minutes
Before you do any water sports
Prices usually aren't posted, so agree on the price and the time with the operator before every activity. Check the condition of the life jacket and the gear. Jet skis around Pattaya and Koh Larn have had problems with inflated damage claims, so photograph the condition of the craft before and after to cover yourself, and don't go ahead if something feels unsafe.
Restaurants and cafes along Tien Beach
Tien Beach has just a few beachfront restaurants, but the setting is good and you can sit and look out at the sea for hours, with menus that lean toward seafood and made-to-order Thai food. The best-known spot is Tiennara, which has been open right on Tien Beach for several decades, serving seafood and Thai dishes with a beach view. It has a Sunset Bar for watching the sun go down and is open roughly 8:00–17:30 (the bar runs into the evening). There are also smaller shops and drink stalls scattered along the beach.
Tiennara, on Tien Beach
A long-standing beachfront spot serving seafood and Thai food with wide sea views, plus a Sunset Bar to relax at in the evening. Open roughly 8:00–17:30.
Beach shops & drink stalls
Several small shops and drink stalls along the sand for made-to-order food, coconut water, and snacks you can enjoy under a lounger umbrella.
If you want serious fresh seafood or want to compare restaurants across the island, see our guide to Koh Larn's beachfront restaurants. As for other beaches worth comparing for atmosphere, there's Samae Beach with more activities, and Nuan Beach, which is even quieter than Tien.
When to go and what to bring
- Go on a weekday and take the early ferry around 07:00–08:00 for a good shot at a quiet beach before the tour groups arrive
- Avoid long weekends and weekend late mornings — the ferries are packed, the beach gets crowded, and the loungers fill up fast
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat — the white sand reflects the sun strongly
- Bring cash — many shops and lounger operators on the island take cash mainly
- Take your trash back with you — help keep the beach clean by binning it properly or carrying it back to the mainland
Plan a full Koh Larn trip across every beach — where to stay, eat, and explore
See the Koh Larn travel guide →